The Ultimate Chinese Zodiac Quiz

In Asian cultures, your time of birth can have far-reaching implications for your future and can impact everything from your job, to your friends and even who you marry! Take our quiz to find out more and test your knowledge of the Chinese zodiac!

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Question 1 of 30

How many signs make up the Chinese zodiac?

8

12

Like the astrological zodiac, the Chinese zodiac consists of 12 signs, though these 12 signs each represent a year, rather than a month.

24

Question 2 of 30

Which of the following is not part of the Chinese zodiac?

rat

ox

cat

The cat is not one of the animals on the Chinese zodiac, though there is a tiger to placate feline fans.

Question 3 of 30

According to myth, why isn't there a cat in the Chinese zodiac?

The rat pushed him into the water.

When Buddha called for animals to come to him, the rat pushed the cat into the water, so the poor feline never made it to the finish.

He was crushed by the ox.

He was eaten by the tiger.

Question 4 of 30

When were cats first introduced to China?

2,000 years ago

4,000 years ago

5,300 years ago

Cat remains found in China date back to around 5,300 years ago. This may explain why they weren't in the zodiac, which has been around since at least 4,000 B.C.E.

Question 5 of 30

How many elements work hand-in-hand with the animals in the Chinese zodiac?

5

Five elements — metal, water, wood, fire and earth — strengthen or modulate the characteristics associated with each animal sign.

7

12

Question 6 of 30

The Chinese zodiac year runs from January to December.

TRUE

FALSE

The zodiac is based on a lunar calendar, which starts in either February or March each year depending on the cycle of the moon.

Question 7 of 30

If 1961 is the year of the metal ox, when will the next year of the metal ox take place?

1973

2021

With five elements and 12 animals, each specific combination comes up once every 60 years. That means that 1961 and 2021 will both be the year of the metal ox.

2061

Question 8 of 30

What is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac?

tiger

rat

The first animal is the rat. According to myth, the rat was the fastest of all the animals to reach Buddha in a race, which matches the creature's action-loving, aggressive nature.

dragon

Question 9 of 30

Which of these best describes the personality of an ox?

hot-tempered

aggressive

hard working

People born in ox years are hard working, balanced and calm.

Question 10 of 30

A tiger prefers to follow orders rather than lead.

TRUE

FALSE

The tiger is brave and charismatic and greatly prefers freedom to taking orders.

Question 11 of 30

Which of these is closely associated with the rabbit?

peace

The rabbit is a born pacifist, known for his wit and intelligence.

speed

money

Question 12 of 30

What animal in the Chinese zodiac is known for its natural sense of luck?

tiger

dragon

People born in dragon years are thought to be extra lucky and are known for their self-confidence and pride.

snake

Question 13 of 30

The snake is naturally wise with an active mind.

TRUE

Snakes are known for their wisdom, intelligence and powerful minds.

FALSE

Question 14 of 30

Which of these animals is associated with a fiery temper?

rabbit

monkey

horse

The horse is engaging and social, but look out for his passionate, fiery temper.

Question 15 of 30

Which of these qualities is often found in goats?

pacifism

artistry

The goat is an artistic sign, known for his imagination and creativity.

humor

Question 16 of 30

Which sign would you turn to if you needed someone with a strong imagination?

rat

tiger

monkey

The monkey not only has an amazing memory but is also known for his sense of fantasy and imagination.

Question 17 of 30

Which of these qualities is associated with the rooster?

bad temper

organization

The rooster is meticulous and organized and often known for his intelligence.

hard work

Question 18 of 30

Which animal in the Chinese zodiac is the most loyal?

dog

The dog is associated with both loyalty and anxiety. He has firm views and hates injustice.

rabbit

goat

Question 19 of 30

What is the 12th and final animal in the Chinese zodiac?

fish

bird

pig

The pig is the 12th animal in the zodiac and is known for his honesty and kindness.

Question 20 of 30

Which element is associated with a birth year ending in 0 or 1?

metal

If your birth year ends in 0 or 1, your animal sign comes with the element metal, which is associated with focus and neatness.

wood

fire

Question 21 of 30

Which element in the zodiac is associated with imagination?

wood

water

People born in a water year — one ending in 2 or 3 — are calm, flowing and imaginative.

earth

Question 22 of 30

Which easy-going element is also associated with a strong competitive streak?

fire

earth

wood

People born in a wood year are caring and easy going but can be highly competitive.

Question 23 of 30

What element is associated with a birth year ending in a 6 or 7?

fire

People born in a fire year love parties and thrills, but all that passion for life can mean a hot temper at times.

earth

water

Question 24 of 30

What element is associated with excellent problem-solving skills?

earth

People born in earth years are relaxed, responsible and good at solving problems.

fire

water

Question 25 of 30

Which of the following is a poor romantic match for a dragon?

snake

rat

tiger

Tigers and dragons are both strong-willed, which can make for difficult relationships.

Question 26 of 30

Which sign is a poor match for the rat?

horse

The social rat won't generally mesh with the moody, solitary horse.

ox

dragon

Question 27 of 30

What animal do some cultures swap for goats when interpreting the Chinese zodiac?

cat

sheep

The Chinese word yang could mean ram, sheep or goat in English, so you'll see variations of these in cultures around the world to refer to the year of the goat.

lion

Question 28 of 30

Which element is considered extremely bad luck for people born in the year of the horse?

water

earth

fire

A woman born in the year of the fire horse will grow up, marry, then kill her husband — according to legend that is.

Question 29 of 30

Birth rates in some Asian nations drop dramatically in the year of the fire horse.